How far is Ithaca, NY from Albany, NY?
Fastest route
The distance from Ithaca, New York, to Albany, New York is approximately 166 miles (267 kilometers). The fastest route, which includes toll roads, will take around 2 hours and 55 minutes via I-88 E and I-90 E.
Directions
- Head south on N Albany St toward Esty St.
- Turn left onto W Buffalo St.
- Turn right onto Stewart Ave.
- Turn left onto E M.L.K. Jr. St/E State St.
- Continue onto NY-79 E/Slaterville Rd. Pass by Dunkin' (on the left in 28.8 mi).
- At the traffic circle, continue straight onto NY-206.
- Turn left to merge onto I-88 E.
Continue on I-88 E to Albany. Take exit 4B from I-787.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 25-1 to merge onto I-90 E toward Albany (Toll road).
- Use the left 2 lanes to take exit 24 for I-87 N/I-90 E toward Albany/Montreal (Toll road).
- Continue onto I-87 N/I-90 E (Toll road).
- Keep left to continue on I-90 E.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 6A to merge onto I-787 S toward Albany/Rensselaer.
- Take exit 4B for US-9 N toward Clinton Ave.
- Take Chapel St and Eagle St to Washington Ave.
- Continue onto US-9 N/Clinton Ave.
- Turn right onto Columbia St. Columbia St turns left and becomes Eagle St.
- Continue straight onto Washington Ave.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan your departure time: Consider avoiding peak traffic hours to save time and have a smoother journey.
- 🛣️ Check for tolls: Be prepared for toll expenses along the route, so ensure you have cash or a compatible electronic tolling system.
- ⛽ Refuel before the trip: Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey, especially if it's a long drive with limited gas stations on the way.
- 🚧 Check for road closures: Before starting your trip, check for any road closures or construction updates that may affect your route.
- 📱 Use navigation apps: Utilize navigation apps on your smartphone or GPS devices to get real-time traffic updates and find the best alternative routes if needed.
- 🚙 Take breaks: If it's a long drive, consider taking short breaks to rest, stretch, and refresh yourself during the journey.
- 🧭 Carry a map: Although navigation apps are helpful, having a physical map can be handy in case of GPS signal loss or other technical issues.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Otsego County, New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ithaca and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ithaca and Albany.
-
1
Start on East Seneca Street
20 m · 6 sec · East Seneca Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Tioga Street
99 m · 15 sec · North Tioga Street
-
3
Turn right onto East Buffalo Street
1267 ft · 39 sec · East Buffalo Street
-
4
Turn right onto Schuyler Place
814 ft · 28 sec · Schuyler Place
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto East State Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East State Street
-
6
Continue on Slaterville Road
11.1 mi · 17 min · Slaterville Road
-
7
Continue on State Highway 79
15.2 mi · 17 min · State Highway 79
-
8
Continue on Main Street
3 mi · 4 min · Main Street
-
9
Turn left onto East Main Street
2670 ft · 45 sec · East Main Street
-
10
Continue on State Highway 206
10.3 mi · 15 min · State Highway 206
-
11
Continue on Genesee Street
2466 ft · 44 sec · Genesee Street
-
12
Continue on Washington Street
1521 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
-
13
Continue on Coventry Road
609 ft · 10 sec · Coventry Road
-
14
Continue on State Highway 206
6.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 206
-
15
Continue on State Highway 41
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 41
-
16
Continue on State Highway 206
6.8 mi · 11 min · State Highway 206
-
17
Continue on West Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street
-
18
Continue on Demarest Avenue
651 ft · 11 sec · Demarest Avenue
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Demarest Avenue
31 m · 2 sec · Demarest Avenue
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto Demarest Avenue
131 m · 7 sec · Demarest Avenue
-
21
Continue on State Highway 206
780 ft · 18 sec · State Highway 206
-
22
Take the ramp left
2343 ft · 57 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
87.6 mi · 1 hr 41 min
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Albany
2339 ft · 44 sec
-
25
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
9.6 mi · 11 min · New York State Thruway
-
26
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
27
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
1529 ft · 29 sec
-
29
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
1488 ft · 28 sec
-
30
Turn straight onto US 9
1444 ft · 22 sec · US 9
-
31
Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard
2809 ft · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
-
32
Turn left onto Central Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
-
33
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
2658 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
-
34
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
-
35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ithaca and Albany.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 206
Merge slight left
87.6 mi · 01h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Ithaca and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ithaca to Albany?
The road trip is about 165.9 miles (267 km) and usually takes 03h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oneonta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Ithaca and 83.6 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.2 miles (225.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.45 one way or $46.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Ithaca and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Oneonta
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oneonta.
Union Station
Amsterdam station
Rome station
Schenectady
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ithaca and Albany. Straight-line distance: 140.26 mi (225.72 km).
#1 Ithaca
City in New York, USA
| Population | 30,981 |
| Coordinates | 42.4406300, -76.4966100 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue (-73.756162, 42.652644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $23.45 | $46.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $26.21 | $52.43 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $28.44 | $56.87 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $27.46 | $54.92 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New York · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.